San Luis Obispo, CA - Harvey Levenson, longtime professor and head of Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department, will retire at the end of this academic year in June. He will be succeeded by longtime professor Kenneth Macro. 

Levenson has served as department head for 30 years, the longest continuous department head tenure in the history of Cal Poly. During that time, Cal Poly’s graphic communication program has become one of the largest and best-known programs of its kind in the nation and includes studies in printing, publishing, packaging, website development, Internet publishing, digital imaging, and related areas of graphic communication technology and management.

During Levenson’s tenure, the department built an industry support program that includes an advisory board of industry leaders from major companies in the field from throughout the U.S.; an institute for industry research and testing, product evaluations, and training; and a large endowment program.

“It was an amazing 30 years that seemed to go by in a ‘mouse click,’” Levenson said. “The success we experienced could not have been realized without an ongoing great faculty and staff, super bright students, and support from the Cal Poly administration and from industry. Cal Poly is a fantastic university with a hands-on, Learn by Doing teaching philosophy second to none.”

Macro joined Cal Poly in 2000 after serving in various capacities in industry, including director of printing services at the University of Akron, ad production supervisor at Alltel Publishing, and president of CopyBreak Inc. He teaches product development, marketing and production management.

“Ken is one of the most popular professors in our department,” Levenson said. “He has the range of industry experience and education needed to lead the department. I plan to assist Ken in any way necessary to ensure a smooth, seamless transition.”

Macro looks forward to his new role. “I am humbled to be selected by my colleagues to assist in transitioning Dr. Levenson’s legacy into a new and futuristic dimension,” he said. “Harvey has been an inspiring and diligent leader who has supported our endeavors with a warm heart and open arms. I aspire to carry on the legacy of greatness that he has brought to our department, our college, our university and our industry.”

Levenson also plans to help Cal Poly with this transition through part-time oversight of its Graphic Communication Institute, a non-state entity, for the immediate future. He also plans to play various roles to support industry projects and initiatives.

To commemorate Levenson’s retirement and service, the Graphic Communication Department advisory board established the Dr. Harvey R. Levenson Excellence in Graphic Communication Endowment. The endowment will provide scholarships to deserving students and support continued department growth.